§ 1-2. Definitions and general rules of construction.
In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances of the board of supervisors, the following definitions and rules shall apply and be observed, unless otherwise specifically provided or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors:
Generally. The rules of construction given in Code of Virginia, §§ 1-202 to 1-257, shall govern, so far as applicable, the construction of all words not defined in this section or elsewhere in this Code.
Board of supervisors; board. Wherever the term "board of supervisors" or "board" is used, it shall mean the board of supervisors of the County of Stafford, Commonwealth of Virginia.
Bond. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient, unless a particular form of bond is required by law or regulation.
Code. Whenever the term "Code" or "this Code" is used without further qualification, it shall mean the Code of the County of Stafford, Virginia, as designated in section 1-1.
Computation of time. Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done, a certain length of time before any proceeding shall be had, the day on which such notice is given or such act is done shall be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceeding is to be had shall not be counted.
County. The word "county" shall mean the County of Stafford, Commonwealth of Virginia.
Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.
Health department. The term "health department" shall mean the City of Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania County-Stafford County-King George County health department.
Health director; health officer. The term "health director" or "health officer" shall mean the health director of the City of Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania County-Stafford County-King George County state health district or his authorized agent or representative.
Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three (3) or more public officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons.
Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.
Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things, as well as to one person and thing, and a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one person or thing, as well as to several persons or things.
Oath. The word "oath" shall be construed to include an affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.
Officers, boards, etc. Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, board, department, commission or other agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the County of Stafford." In addition, a reference to a particular officer shall be construed as if followed by the words "or his duly authorized deputy, assistant, representative or designee," subject, however, to the provisions of Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1502.
Official time standard. Whenever particular hours are referred to, the time applicable shall be official standard time or daylight saving time, whichever is in current use in the city.
Or; and. "Or" may be read "and" and "and" may be read "or" if the sense requires it.
Owner. The word "owner," applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or a part of such building or land.
Person. The word "person" shall be construed to include any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.
Preceding; following. The words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.
Section numbers. Whenever reference is made to a section by number only (e.g. section 1-1), without further qualification, it shall be construed as referring to that section of this Code.
Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street or highway between the curb line, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
Signature or subscription includes a mark when a person cannot write.
State; commonwealth. The words "state" and "commonwealth" shall be construed as if the words "of Virginia" followed.
State Code. References to the "State Code" or the "Code of Virginia" shall mean the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, or any subsequent edition of such Code.
Street; highway. The word "street" or "highway" shall include public avenues, streets, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the county, and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines. It shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors.
Swear, sworn. The words "swear" or "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" or "affirmed" in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.
Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
Written or in writing shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium, or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Code of Virginia, chapter 42.1 of title 59.1 (§ 59.1-479 et seq.) is or is not affixed.
Year. The word "year" shall be construed to mean a calendar year and the word "year" alone shall be equivalent to the expression "year of our Lord."
(Code 1979, § 1-2; Ord. No. O08-59, 10-7-08)
State Law reference— Similar definitions and rules of construction applicable to state law, Code of Virginia, § 1-202.
(Code 1979, § 1-2; Ord. No. O08-59, 10-7-08)
State law reference
Similar definitions and rules of construction applicable to state law, Code of Virginia, § 1-202.